Warrenton man kills self after holding trooper hostage

Maries County, MO (KSDK) -A Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper is safe after police say her ex-boyfriend held her hostage at gunpoint Wednesday night, then turned his gun on himself.

It happened in mid-Missouri's Maries County. Sheriff Chris Heitman says the off-duty trooper was able to escape her home after deputies from Maries and Phelps counties arrived to defuse the situation.

Police identified the boyfriend who orchestrated the incident as 42 year old Clifford Karst of Warrenton. Authorities say they are not releasing the name of the Missouri Highway Patrol Trooper who was held against her will, prior to Karst taking his own life.

After the trooper was safely removed, a single gunshot was heard. Sheriff Heitman says all evidence indicates the fatal shot was self-inflicted.